It is not satisfactory anymore to only have a basement, but having the correct basement height; the plumbing required for the washroom and a fine amount of light that comes from the windows.
Also when you are thinking of buying a new house; remember the lasting potential of the basement.
And yes it is always better to make plans for your new bedroom or kitchen space; but the basement also deserves various considerations before anything else. Basement enlargement at the very end is very difficult and also very expensive.
In addition, some homeowners add windows to carry in more light. Others consider a deeper basement.
Strengthening the foundation
Usually, homeowners do not consider foundation repair unless there are visible signs that the basement is damaged. Your home foundation needs to be secured. And one of the professionals at Draintony can determine whether your house needs basement lowering/underpinning.
Moreover, basement lowering/underpinning is essential. It strengthens the foundation with the excavating underneath the foundation depth; and repairing also the damaged sections or the entire foundation.
There are different forms of basement lowering. The main one involves digging out parts below the foundation; and then filling them with concrete. This is a high skilled process, and you must have an expert to carry out the work. At Draintony, we have been doing basement underpinning successfully for many years.
The widespread method of basement lowering / underpinning is the mass pour method. This is a procedure that requires excavating sections in cycle to a precise depth below the footing; and placing a concrete in each hole. Next, this process is repeated until the entire area has been lowered / underpinned.
If you have a concern about your house foundation, contact the professional team at Draintony. We will help you decide whether your house requires foundation repair; and also which kind of basement lowering / underpinning is the best for your home.
Why choose basement lowering/ underpinning?
Basement underpinning is a procedure done in order to stabilize and strengthen the structural foundation. And not only will the basement lowering strengthen your existing foundation; it will also above all, add extra height and space. Yet if you do not have an aspiration for extra living space; still underpinning might be necessary for preserving the structural integrity of your home. The process of basement lowering or underpinning is done for numerous reasons. Here we will name three of them:
- Older Homes – In a lot of older homes, the basement was never planned to be a living space. This is due the low ceilings that make extremely small headroom. Basement lowering or underpinning can turn your basement into a functional and practical area.
- Hidden Mechanics – Basement lowering can open the buried mechanics of your house. Because the underpinning is usually done in the older homes; there is always old plumbing, insulation and electrical systems that will be inspected. Then they can be upgraded or replaced to ensure that your home is up to date with today’s standards and building codes.
- With basement underpinning you will improve your home foundation strength; preserve on energy through the repaired insulation, and also turn out your basement into a satisfactory living space. Finally basement underpinning will increase your home value; because it adds square footage and height to your basement.
The warning signs that you might need basement lowering/underpinning done
Basement lowering becomes very important when the walls of the existing foundation begin to shift and become incapable to securely support the house. It is always more economical, probably due to the land price, working on the existing structure’s foundation rather than building a new one.
Signs:
- Change in the shape of your walls (sinking, bulging, sagging and also structural cracks).
- Difference in the placement of the doors and the windows also.
- The foundation is cracked or very weak.
- The structure has shifted.
- The property of the soil supporting the foundation changed (perhaps through subsidence or settlement).
Deciding whether to have basement lowering/underpinning done in your home because of a structural problem; or are you just looking to increase the space and height of your basement?
Moreover, if a structural problem is visible in your foundation don’t wait. Contact us today for your free estimate!